OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team defeated Misericordia University and Stevenson University Saturday afternoon in a tri-match, 3-0 and 3-1, hosted by the Mustangs. 
 
Misericordia 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 9-15, 2-6 NEC
Misericordia: 20-9, 6-1 MAC
 
Top Performers:
Petr Beranek: 13 kills (.281), 3 aces, 2 blocks, 7 digs, 22 points
Carter Lyons: 8 kills (.389), 2 aces, 2 blocks, 2 blocks, 11.5 points
Cade Trujillo: 24 assists, 4 digs
 
How It Happened:
After trailing by one in the first set, SHU went on an 8-1 run to take a 20-14 lead. A kill from Ben Lillie secured the 25-20 win for the Pios. 
 
In the second set, the Pioneers hitting propelled them to a 25-15 win. SHU outhit the Cougars 13-6 and 0.458 to -0.040.
 
SHU trailed the Cougars for most of the third. Misericordia led the Pios 24-20 at setpoint, but SHU battled through with kills from Cade Trujillo and Petr Beranek to the game at 24. Brody Hoelperl and Beranek secured a 28-26 win with back-to-back kills.
 
Beranek led the Pioneers offense with 13 kills, three aces and two blocks. Carter Lyons secured eight kills hitting .389. At setter, Cade Trujillo had a career high of 24 assists.
 
Stevenson
Records:
Sacred Heart: 10-15, 2-6 NEC
Stevenson: 14-10, 4-3 MAC
 
Top Performers:
Patrick Mucherino: 17 kills (.406), 1 assist, 1 ace, 11 digs, 18 points 
Carlos Santa Cruz: 17 kills (.342), 3 assist, 6 digs,17.5 points
Petr Beranek: 10 kills (.269), 1 assist, 1 ace, 6 digs, 11 points
 
How It Happened:
The first set was closely contested as the teams battled through 19 ties. A kill from Patrick Mucherino set the Pioneers on top at set point and won on a Mustang error, 26-24.

The Mustangs took the second set 25-19.
 
The Pios and Mustangs held another close contest in the third. In similar fashion to the first set, SHU was down 24-21 at set point and went on a 5-0 run to secure the 26-24 win. Mucherino secured two kills in that run to help secure the Pioneers win.
 
SHU took an early 15-10 lead in the fourth and was able to hold onto the lead to win the set 25-20. The Pioneers out-hit the Mustangs in kills and hitting percentage with 17 and .412.
 
Mucherino and Carlos Santa Cruz each secured 17 kills. Mucherino also led SHU's defense with 11 digs. In the setter position, Colin Stevens and Trujillo totaled 45 assists with 22 and 23, respectively.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers host LIU Friday, April 5^th, at Notre Dame Fairfield High School at 5:00 p.m.